EPISODE 1: The Salazar Empire’s CEO
Time went by and life kept moving on but for the same man, it was the usual time at the usual place, comes a usual routine that he could never escape from.
"Sir, here's the report from the sales department." a male secretary said to the boss of the company where he was working.
From the luxury chair that was facing the window, "Leave it there." A very cold yet firm voice of a male responded to his secretary. "Informed me in five about my schedule. I need some time to breathe." The boss added.
"Yes, sir. Excuse me then." the secretary politely bowed and left the office of his boss.
Being left alone in the very spacious office of the CEO of Salazar Empire, the boss turned the luxury chair from facing the window to face the paperwork on his desk. It revealed a very sophisticated man with a good Cassanova look in a luxury suit and his name is Sebastian Salazar. But a sigh escaped from his fine line lips before he started doing his assigned work as the CEO of their family company. In just a few minutes of his work, his secretary came in after a knock.
"Sir, I'm here to inform you about your schedule for today." His secretary stood confidently but politely in front of the CEO's desk.
"Go on. I'm listening." The cold boss responded while his face never met his secretary's face.
"At 10, you have a board meeting with the Phantasma Corp. regarding the event that we're sponsoring. Then at noon, you have a lunch meeting with your sister, Ashley Salazar..." The secretary started informing him about his schedule for that day until he heard the name of his elder sister.
"Lunch meeting?" he wondered as soon as he heard his elder sister's name. "Did she tell you why she asked for a lunch date with me?" he went on asking his secretary since they could meet at home and talk about whatever matter that was bothering his sister.
"She just told me that it was about her investment." The polite secretary answered his boss.
"Alright, anything else?" he sighed and wondered if there was anything else in his schedule.
"You have to pay a visit to the newly built restaurant at the S.Lux Hotel at three. Then the rest of the day is free and open for emergency meetings." His secretary answered and he nodded as he handed a file report that he already finished checking.
"Okay, meet me in fifteen before the board meeting." He commanded before proceeding to his work.
"Yes, Sir." The secretary bowed and left his office to go back to his desk and just do his job.
The CEO was indeed busy throughout the day dealing with papers, meetings, and some proposal discussions to some teams but when the noon time came. He might not want to have a lunch date or meeting with his sister but knowing his siblings, he had to, or else, the peaceful working hours for him will be disturbed.
"Finally, you arrived." A very energetic lady gave a very welcoming hug to his brother.
"Let's get it done. Why have lunch with me when we could talk about it at home?" he coldly responded after their greetings causing his sister to give a stern look at him. He shivered since Ashley Salazar was not just being the eldest child with childish behavior but when she got serious it was like an ultimate punishment.
"Eat first before we get on business." Ashley firmly commanded.
"But..." he tried to reason but Ashley arched her neatly trimmed eyebrow making him shut his mouth.
"Sebastian Salazar. Eat. All of it is your favorite, so, don't waste it." She might be smiling but it was a warning. He really can't say anything to his elder sister whenever she's being serious.
He might be being respectful to the elderly but when he needs to be vocal about something he will do it but not today. "Fine..." That was the only word that escaped from him before shoving food in his mouth.
Sebastian Salazar might be known as his cold and firm yet kind-hearted CEO of their family businesses. But whenever his family came into the picture, his cold facade was softened like what just happened between him and his elder sister.
"So, care to tell me what's the reason for our meeting when we could meet later at home." Sebastian directly cut the chase while they were in the middle of their lunch.
"Remember the investor that I told you about from the El Fregamo?" Ashley asked before she ate another portion of the food on her plate.
"Yeah, about about it?" he nodded and wondered as well.
"I'm thinking of investing there since their perfumes were perfect for my liking. To add to that, the packaging and the bottle were unique as well. They even release new collective designs and fragrances on different occasions. Sadly, they were only limited editions." She was ecstatic about sharing with her brother about the plan that she was thinking.
"So, what's the connection of our meeting? Want my point of view for your investment?" he went on asking making Ashley pout like a kid before nodding.
"Pretty please." She cutely pleaded making Sebastian sigh. Among the siblings, he's the business-minded man of the family.
"Alright, from what I've heard from the other meetings that I had, the CEO of the Ciel De Luna and El Fregamo was known for being a faceless CEO." He started by informing his sister about the CEO of the said company. He took a sip from his wine first, "Nobody knew what she looked like or where her wealth came from. But her business was undeniably booming ever since she came into the business world. She was a walking mystery." He just continued what he knew about that faceless CEO.
"So, I've heard." Ashley sighed since she already knew about it.
Sebastian might have a charming smile that everyone falls in love with. But when he smirks slyly, things mean differently and Ashley notices that.
"I will be blunt, I like the way she manages her company without thinking about the other's business. She focuses on her own." Sebastian admitted as there's another thing that runs to his mind, "I even think of offering a partnership with her." He smirked and Ashley shook her head over the comment of her brother's business-minded mind.
"And what do you think?" she wondered.
"Try it out." Sebastian did not hesitate to give his thoughts regarding his sister's investment. "You can give her two to five percent of the investment in the first year. You have to see things first on how your investment with her company will turn out before you add more percent on the following year." He briefly explained to her.
"Then five it is." Ashley quickly dropped her decision and it was not surprising anymore for Sebastian.
"Sis." He tried to warn her.
"What? I'm just so excited. So, spare me from the lecture." She sarcastically said but she was honest. "Plus, it's my own money."
Sebastian just sighed since he knew how stubborn their eldest sister was whenever she made her decision. It was firm and there was no stopping her whether you like it or not.
But their chill and happy conversation came to an end when Ashley recalled the main reason for their meeting. "Also, the main reason why I asked you for a meeting is..." she suddenly stopped when she noticed the grin from her brother.
"Finally, business." Sebastian didn't hide the attention that he suddenly gave to his sister who was now giving him a death glare. He shivered.
"You only think about business." Ashley sighed and Sebastian grinned that her sister knew him well.
"Go on. I'm listening." He just ushered. She sighed while shaking her head in disbelief.
"As I was saying, is about the Victory Insurance Company and its offer which I hope you haven't signed up yet." She went directly which made Sebastian smirked.
"Sis, you know me. I don't sign any contracts that easily without knowing the entire company background." He confidently assured his sister who just sighed.
"It was not the company or its policies that I am talking about which I think you already understood what I mean." She cleared catching his attention more. Ashley was indeed giving her baby brother some heads-up about that certain company that the entire Salazar shouldn't partnered with.
"Are you saying about their owner itself?" he guessed and he was right when his sister nodded in confirmation. "Then don't worry, I've got eyes and ears everywhere, Sis. Nothing slipped from me especially when they wronged the family." The assuring smirk didn't leave his lips making Ashley contended. She knew well her brother whenever it was about their family's safety.
"If you say so, but whenever you're having a hard time don't hesitate to call on us." Ashley sighed as she let her brother handle it like he usually does.
"You bet." He smiled assuringly but turned into a mischievous one. "Is there any dessert?"
"Oh, my baby brother's sweet tooth started kicking in." Ashley giggled as she teased her brother.
"Guilty, so, let me have some." He wasn't even afraid to admit that and asked for more.
"Feel free then since I'm going to pay for this." She just let her brother have sweets just for today since it was her treat.
"Can I empty your wallet then?" he teased as he called a waiter.
"NO! Absolutely, not a chance." she quickly defended.
"I'm just kidding. No need to be defensive." He was amused and got their dessert.
Their meeting came to an end outside the restaurant and before Ashley could even get into her car, she recalled something that Sebastian needed to know.
"Get yourself ready when you get home later. Grams and Pops wanted to speak with you about something." Ashley reminded him.
Sebastian might be looking cold and expressionless but he was puzzled when he heard it. "What they're going to discuss with me later?"
Ashley shrugged her shoulders. "Bye, see you later, Baby brother." She stole a kiss on his cheek that made him glare. She chuckled and got inside her car then drove back to her own company.
"What do they want?" he wondered when his phone rang. "What?" he answered the sudden call.
'Boss, urgent.'
Upon hearing it, Sebastian sighed "I'll be there in thirty." he coldly responded to the call that he received.